Fitzgerald/liferaft

[beecher]

I agree it was most likely replaced and used privately as a recreational platform. It would be nice if we could see the close up photos of the worn letters. It would be nice to know if it was from the Fitzgerald. Any forensic info would be cool.


Cheers,
b

[hayhugh1]

There are only two ways this raft could be removed from a boat. Either by crane or as it was designed to do: float off.

[Guest]

I'm not sure, but I highly doubt that the Fitzgerald's life raft would have been jettisoned into the lake . it was more likely removed when the inflatable was installed. An object of that size would definitely be considered a hazard to navigation. Most likey, the object in the photo was an old floating dock-end.

I agree with Randy S.
The object in question could very well have been a life raft, but I think it's last mission was a floating swim dock. I'm sure it was not just dumped off a boat into the lake, but removed where ever they installed the new inflatable and someone took it home to use it for a dock.

[Norskellunge]

Would you be able to post a picture of the worn lettering? If you take it in good lighting and focus I may be able to enhance it with Photoshop.

[hayhugh1]

The size of the stencils used on rafts/lifeboats at that time were regulated by federal regulations, so all "E"s would look the same on all boats.

[est]

The raft in the picture is from a ship, no question. The only question is, which one? The name on the side board is badly worn and very hard to read. I am able to make out the first letters which are STR. which stands for steamer. I know the Fitz used the stenciling S.S. for steamship on it's liferings.

I can make out the letter E. twice on the board within the name following the letters STR. The E matches the stencil used for the lettering on the lifeboat from the Fitz that was recovered and now rests in the Valley Camp at the Soo. The letters that I observed match the stenciling used in that time period on the Columbia boats.

I was told the location and time the raft was found and by whom. I am making attempts to verify when the raft was found and exactly where. If I can verify, I will share the story.

[beecher]

Hi Guest,
You have my attention. C'mon, out with your story please.

[Randy S]

I'm not sure, but I highly doubt that the Fitzgerald's life raft would have been jettisoned into the lake ... it was more likely removed when the inflatable was installed. An object of that size would definitely be considered a hazard to navigation. Most likey, the object in the photo was an old floating dock-end.

[Guest]

I will try to attach a picture of the raft. The file was too big the first time I tried. The raft is in rough shape. It was found on the shore of Lake Superior in the late 70's. This picture was taken last week. It has been sitting in the woods just of the shore of the Lake until recently when it was moved to where we took the pictures.

[Guest]

I have another picture of the Fitzgerald going thru the Soo Locks, I don't know the exact year this was taken, but as you can see the pontoon life raft was replaced by the inflatables, however it the radar has not yet been replaced. If anyone wants to help identify what year this picture was taken, all suggestions are welcome. thanks.

[beecher]

Hi Guest,
Neat stuff. You may have something there.

Can you share by posting some pictures please!

Cheers,
b

[Guest]

Thanks for the info, the reason I asked about the raft, I have come across a raft that I believe may have come off the Fitz.

[Guest]

By the time the photo posted by Schipper was taken, the old pontoon style raft had been replaced by the inflatable canister raft. This is visible behind the pilothouse just above the last right side window of the owners lounge on the deck below.

[MN Guest]

Mr. Link, thanks for sharing the website on the Fitzgerald. A lot of great pictures in there. I have never seen that site before.

[schipper]

In this pic from I Love Sault Ste Marie Facbook page the raft is missing.

Never before published photo of the Edmund Fitzgerald in the Soo Locks, taken only months before it was lost with all hands in Lake Superior. The photo was taken in August 1975; the Edmund Fitzgerald sank November 10th of that year. It was, ironically, the sinking that made this ship famous. After it was built in 1958, until 1971, it was the largest ship on the Great Lakes, but other than that, it was just a working vessel plying the waters between Wisconsin and Michigan. Photo by bill.d.

[Guest]

Mr. Link,

Thank you for the reply and the photo. Do you know for sure if it was replaced before 1975?

Thank you

[Mr Link]

Originally equipped with a rigid pontoon-style life raft behind the pilot house/chartroom. Replaced at some point with a 25 person inflatable life raft.

http://www.glmi.org/fitz/gallery/pages/fitzmfitoutd.htm

[est]

Did the Fitzgerald have a life raft on board that had pontoon type floats painted orange? Wood would be attached on top of the floats. If so, does anyone have a picture of it or where on the ship as it stationed?